Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Simplicity 2608 - Knit shorts in green snakeskin

I've written before that I have a terrible time finding shorts to buy at stores. Those knee-length walking shorts that are suppose to look good on everybody (per Stacy and Clinton on What Not to Wear) look like men's work pants cut off at the knee on me. Vertical slash pockets always pooch out and make my hips look bigger. I no longer feel comfortable wearing the short shorts I wore in college. It's so annoying! I've been meaning to make myself some shorts for several years now, and finally got around to doing so. Since I made the skirt from this pattern in December 2009 and really loved the fit, I decided to use it again.

I chose a stable doubleknit for my first pair, but that proved to be too thick of a fabric, so I'll just call that wadder a muslin. Here's the second pair, made from a thin ITY knit purchased from Gorgeousfabrics.com last year I believe. How CUTE are these shorts?!!! I could not be more pleased with them! They are elastic waisted but the fold-over band hides it and enables me to wear shirts tucked in. They are super simple to whip out and require no fit adjustments since they're knit. You can expect to see more in my immediate future.

The only adjustment I made to the pattern after my "muslin" was to cut 1.5" off the top. They were really high-waisted, and I prefer to wear most short/pants/skirts about an inch below my navel.

I just bought these shoes too. A girl who loves the color yellow definitely needs some casual summer sandals in that hue, right? Plus they're kind of a muted shade and match half my closet. Well, that's what I'm telling myself to justify their purchase anyway. ;)

I am in love with this pattern!
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35 comments:

  1. sdBevJuly 6, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    These look really good on you.

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  2. TanyaJuly 6, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    Looks like a great pattern! Lots of possibilities.

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  3. DillianderJuly 6, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    These look great Amanda, love the fabric!

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  4. AnonymousJuly 6, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    Oh man I am in love with that fabric! Great job! They look great on you. :)

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  5. Amber ElayneJuly 6, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    Cute! I'm with you, long shorts make me look butch and legs aren't shorter-short quality anymore... :(

    Great work!

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  6. bunnyJuly 6, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    cute! it almost looks like a mini-skirt in the front and side photos. the shortest i can go is a few inches above my knee. any shorter and they seem to bunch up as i'm walking which is annoying.

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  7. MarieJuly 7, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    So so cute. I bet they must be like wearing PJs too (comfort wise).

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  8. MushyWearJuly 7, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    These shorts are super cute. They are a perfect length on you. I also love the fabric. I made a simple knit skirt with the exact same fabric and still wear it at least every other week.

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  9. Sara E.KJuly 7, 2011 at 3:15 AM

    I really love the fabric you used!

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  10. AllisonCJuly 7, 2011 at 4:14 AM

    I confess I was a bit scared when I saw the title of your post, but you are right they are super cute! Love the shoes too.

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  11. Dr. DonnaJuly 7, 2011 at 5:32 AM

    I am headed to purchase this pattern today! Thanks for the review and inspiration. The shorts are adorable.

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  12. SuzanneJuly 7, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    Hell yea i love them!

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  13. KimJuly 7, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    I made these too, sort of, they are sitting unfinished in my sewing room. You've inspired me to finsh them up. These are really cute on you.

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  14. JennyJuly 7, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Cute! I totally agree with your shoe choice, too. I keep buying bright sandals, convincing myself they work great with neutral outfits.

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  15. RachelJuly 7, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Cute short and sandals. I have a pair of yellow shoes I wear a lot. It is amazing how versatile they are. I wonder if they are what Stacy and Clinton would call a "pseudo" neutral.

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  16. VictoriaJuly 7, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    Great shorts! I've made the one of the skirt but never noticed the shorts pattern. How adorable, you must make more!!!

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  17. AndreaJuly 7, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    Very nice fit on you. I've had these shorts cut out in a mid weigh knit, waiting to be sewn for about a year. You just provided motivation for me to sew them up. Thanks!

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  18. AnnaJuly 7, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Oh my gosh, very cute! I, too, have problems with shorts. I've pretty much just stopped wearing them out in public and wear mostly skirts to keep cool instead. Congrats on finding a pattern that works for you!

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  19. SheilaJuly 7, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    The shorts came out great and looks good on you. I have that pattern and purchased it for the skirt, but now you've inspired me to do shorts.

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  20. cidellJuly 7, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    I never would have picture knit shorts to be that adorable.

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  21. LynnebJuly 7, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    Oh, my GOSH! Too cute! Dare you to wear them to church on Sunday!

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  22. JuanitaJuly 7, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    Cute shorts. I completely agree with you about walking shorts. Of course, Clinton and Stacey also push empire waists... another place where I have to disagree with them.

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  23. loveclothesJuly 7, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    Really nice but is only me or anyone else thinks you look much better in skirts or a dress?

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  24. Monica DJuly 7, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    Well done!

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  25. gwensewsJuly 7, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Nice shorts. Oh, how wonderful to be able to sew and get exactly what you want!

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  26. NikkiJuly 7, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    I just made these shorts, view b, and they turned out really well.... http://www.kwiksew.com/Catalog/cat_detail.cfm?pid=3854&Cat=Misses&Level=Pants,_Shorts,_Tops&QL=MissPantsShortsTops

    Thought you might like them also.

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  27. AnonymousJuly 7, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Woo hoo, what cool shorts!

    I have slightly shoter legs, and I agree that bermuda length shorts just do not look good on me. Perhaps if I were wearing them with high heels as Stacey does, but that's not realistic. I've read that gals with shorter elgs actually need to wear shorter-shorts to balance out the squatness, which is perhaps why these look so rockin' on you. They are a definite make-again!

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  28. VanessaJuly 8, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Your shorts are cute, Amanda! I love the fabric, and I bet they are extremely comfy. BTW, I am one of those lucky ones that can wear Bermuda shorts, and thank God because anything shorter and they would not look as good on me as they do on you!

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  29. The Slapdash SewistJuly 8, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    I never would have thought of knit print shorts, but you are working them!

    Also, I've been looking for yellow sandals forever and am so jealous that you found some.

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  30. AnonymousJuly 8, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    as always, your garments leave me speechless...

    The shorts are fabulous! :)

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  31. angie.aJuly 8, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    haha! I can't see you looking bad in ANYTHING, so I don't believe your description of the "man pants" :D But your shorts are ADORABLE! I'm sadly past the point I can wear shorts that short I fear. Clinton and Stacy would say so I'm sure!d

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  32. DillyJuly 9, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    These are lovely! They fit very well, and I think they are very flattering on you - a perfect length and a nice shape too. Are they comfortable to wear? I like the idea of a thin knit pair of shorts, but I'm worried I might feel a bit naked!

    And I love your shoes too - I have a very similar pair, but brighter yellow :)

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  33. ShariJuly 9, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    Who would have thought that knit shorts could this great! Love them

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  34. velosewsJuly 21, 2011 at 2:23 AM

    How groovy!

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  35. TanyJuly 30, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Great shorts and awesome shoes!
    Love the fabric you used!!

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